Specific Symptoms of Zombie Succulents:

Symptom 1: Succulents Can't Take in Water 

When the leaves of succulents exhibit signs of shrinkage and dehydration, they fail to recover even after being adequately watered.

Symptom 2: Succulents Not Growing

If you notice that your succulents are not growing, and particularly if you have repotted several of the same variety at the same time—where one plant is thriving while another is not—it could indicate a problem. Even if the struggling plant is still alive, its leaves will eventually be consumed as nutrients, leading to further decline. 

Symptom 3: Succulents Shake in the Pot

You can easily determine whether the roots of your succulents are healthy and well-developed. Simply use your fingers to gently wiggle the succulents in the pot. If they shake, it indicates that the roots have not yet anchored themselves in the potting soil. 

For a more comprehensive assessment, you can carefully remove the succulents from their pot and examine their roots directly. Healthy roots are typically of varying thickness, have a certain length, and cling to a significant amount of soil. In contrast, the root system of zombie succulents will be quite short, primarily consisting of only small capillary roots, with very little soil adhering to them.

The Cause and Solution: Zombie Succulents

1. Use clay pots and a gritty soil mix for outdoor-planted succulents. 

You might be wondering why this combination can lead to zombie succulents. Many people opt for clay pots because they are a classic choice and provide good air circulation. However, many overlook the excellent ventilation conditions that exist outdoors. Such conditions resemble a leaking net. Before the succulents can respond, water and nutrients escape from the net, preventing the succulents from absorbing nutrients for an extended period, leading to stunted growth.

If the flower pots provide good air permeability, it's important to adjust either the particle content of the potting soil or the frequency of watering. You can do this by reducing the amount of particles in the soil or increasing how often you water the plants. This ensures that the succulents receive enough water and nutrients for their growth. 

Consider using less permeable materials for flower pots when planting succulents outdoors if you can't water them frequently. Options like plastic or ceramic pots can help address this issue.

2. Succulents experience a long dehydrated period.

Succulents that are extremely dehydrated can be prone to zombies. This situation often occurs in succulents that have just been planted after root pruning and during the period after transplantation.

If succulents are exhibiting stunted growth, it is advisable to utilize sterilized scissors or blades to carefully trim the fine roots and make several cuts on the stems. Following this procedure, it is essential to allow the wounds to callus. In the meanwhile, mixing the original potting soil with coconut coir, small wood chips, or vermiculite, such as materials can significantly improve the water retention capacity of the soil. After the wounds have healed, replant the succulents by using the updated potting soil mix. Water them regularly to keep the soil slightly moist until new roots grow.

When repotting succulents, it is essential to consider the soil ratio carefully. If the original soil composition is optimal for the succulents, it is advisable to retain this mixture during transplantation, while taking care to minimize root damage. Should any wounds be present on the roots, it is important to allow them to dry properly before planting. Furthermore, it is critical to maintain the soil slightly moist during the first two weeks after transplanting to help the succulents adapt to their new environment quickly. 

3. Succulents have problems with their growth points.

The root system and stem of succulents serve as channels for absorbing and transporting essential nutrients to the leaves. If the potting soil, flower pots, and watering habits are all in order, but the succulents still exhibit symptoms of zombie, it is more likely that there is an issue with the growth point of the succulent's rhizome, the growth point is damaged, infected, or rotting.

If these zombie succulents are not taken care of quickly, they will begin to suffer from rotting leaves and may eventually die. Once they reach that point, it will be very challenging to save them. If the leaf rosette has not started to rot yet, carefully remove the succulent from the potting soil. Use sterilized scissors or a blade to cut off the original rhizome, then spray the rosette with 75% alcohol. Afterward, allow the cut callus over and replant the succulents. This method provides the succulent with the best chance of survival.

Conclusion

While the term "zombie succulents" might sound a bit scary, understanding the potential causes of plant stunting can help us avoid these issues in our daily care routine. By being aware of these factors, we can better care for our succulent plants and encourage their healthy growth.